Western States Center’s Culture Lab Program Releases Smoke & Mirrors: A Pro-Democracy Album Ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election
Collaborative project features a diverse lineup of hip-hop artists, emphasizing the need for grassroots action against rising authoritarianism
https://www.westernstatescenter.org/smoke-mirrors
Chicago, IL – Western States Center’s Culture Lab program has released Smoke & Mirrors, a collaborative album focused on the importance of pro-democracy efforts as the nation approaches the 2024 Presidential Election. Co-facilitated by Alabama civil rights activist and hip-hop artist Evan Milligan and former Detroit Mello Music Group rapper Chris Orrick, the album features a range of hip-hop artists, including PremRock (Brooklyn), SKECH185 (Brooklyn), Steel Tipped Dove (Brooklyn), miles cooke (Brooklyn), James Gardin (Lansing, Michigan), Rich Jones (Chicago), Juiccy Da Master (Prichard, Alabama), and Brezzy Monroe (Birmingham, Alabama).
Smoke & Mirrors explores concepts of freedom and democracy in the United States, especially in the context of ongoing civil rights movements and the growing threat of authoritarianism. The album conveys a crucial message: democracy must be actively built and protected, particularly through local initiatives.
See full tracklist and listen here: https://bandcamp.com/private/TW58ZS93
“In our current climate, in America and elsewhere, there are a lot of surface-level things that can frighten or alarm us, “said Chicago based artist Rich Jones.” But I think in the process of doing this work, it's about understanding that these are just new iterations of old problems, and we've beaten them before, and we'll beat them again.”
By promoting voter participation, sharing resources, and encouraging creative expression, Smoke & Mirrors highlights the role of grassroots action in preventing political violence and sustaining democracy. The album features collaborations among participating artists and connects music scenes from the East Coast, Midwest, and South.
The project also invites listeners to consider the personal costs of authoritarianism and political violence. It emphasizes that efforts to expand democracy, resist bigotry, and organize communities are essential for protecting inclusive democracy. Smoke & Mirrors raises awareness about the rise of anti-democracy movements and encourages listeners to advocate for inclusive democracy and take action.
“Creating Smoke & Mirrors has been a transformative journey, demanding significant sacrifice from everyone who lent their voices to the project. The storyline invites us to confront aspects of ourselves and our communities that are often too painful to acknowledge or too mundane to engage with. Throughout the production, we delved into the elements of freedom that connect these extremes and reflected on what it means to lose those freedoms and the social bonds that underpin them. Our sounds and scenes are inspired by the quest to rediscover freedom and inclusive democracy after moments of disillusionment,” said Evan Milligan,Co-Director of the Common Good Program at Western States Center.
“We hope our work resonates with those mobilizing voters this November and with individuals still questioning whether their voices truly matter. Spoiler alert: we believe they do!”
Western State Center has also created “We Traveling,” a Smoke & Mirrors companion “Action Guide,” which provides strategies for impacting your community to promote and support inclusive democracy.
About the Western States Center
The Western States Center is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening democracy, advancing civil rights, and combating hate and bigotry in the western United States. Through programs like Culture Lab, the Center empowers artists and community leaders to engage in social change through creative expression.